Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by, some quality or property in the first degree; having undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement.

Primary alcohol Organic Chem., any alcohol which possess the group CH2.OH, and can be oxidized so as to form a corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of carbon atoms; -- distinguished from secondary ∧ tertiary alcohols.
-- Primary amineChem., an amine containing the amido group, or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; -- distinguished from secondary ∧ tertiary amines.
-- Primary amputation Surg., an amputation for injury performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has passed away, and before symptoms of inflammation supervene. -- Primary axisBot., the main stalk which bears a whole cluster of flowers.
-- Primary colors. See under Color.
-- Primary meeting, a meeting of citizens at which the first steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc. See Caucus.
-- Primary pinnaBot., one of those portions of a compound leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded.
-- Primary planets. Astron. See the Note under Planet.
-- Primary qualities of bodies, such are essential to and inseparable from them.
-- Primary quillsZool., the largest feathers of the wing of a bird; primaries.
-- Primary rocksGeol., a term early used for rocks supposed to have been first formed, being crystalline and containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.; -- called also primitive rocks. The terms Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like manner, but of these the last two only are now in use.
-- Primary saltChem., a salt derived from a polybasic acid in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by a base or basic radical.
-- Primary syphilisMed., the initial stage of syphilis, including the period from the development of the original lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms indicative of general constitutional infection.
-- Primary union Surg., union without suppuration; union by the first intention.